Ruby Hayes is a retired schoolteacher and widow from Lexington, Virginia. Most mornings she is up before the house, writing at her kitchen table with her Bible open and Earl's old mug full of coffee.
devotional
"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." — Mark 1:35 June is almost gone and I did not notice it leaving. I was so busy with the carrying and the not-carrying
Sunday Letter
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved." — Psalm 127:2 It is Sunday evening and the first open week is done. I did not go to church this
devotional
"Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." — Hebrews 4:16 I did not go to church this morning. There is no reason that would satisfy anyone who asked, and nobody
devotional
"Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." — James 1:17 The storm came through at four o'clock and took about twenty minutes and
devotional
"So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen
devotional
"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" — Psalm 8:3-4 Olivia was here yesterday afternoon. Dan dropped her
devotional
"For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." — Isaiah 55:12 The garden has crossed some line I cannot name. Last
devotional
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction." — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 There is a woman at church whose husband is dying and she has not said
devotional
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6-7 Monday morning and
Sunday Letter
"I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law." — Psalm 119:55 It is Sunday evening and the longest day of the year is almost done. I am in the chair by the lamp and the windows are open and the air coming in
devotional
"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." — Proverbs 22:6 Pastor Holloway asked the fathers to stand this morning and most of them did, the young ones with babies on their hips and the older ones who stood the way men stand
devotional
"From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised." — Psalm 113:3 Saturday evening and the light is still here. It is almost eight-thirty and the sky is holding onto the day the way a child holds onto